Arsenal avoid Real Madrid but could face Bayern Munich in Champions League ‘Group of Death’

Arsenal fans will be heading into next season full of excitement as they prepare to compete in the Champions League once again.

But the Gunners' may be presented with a difficult task on their return after six years away from Europe's top tier.

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As a result of their UEFA club coefficient ranking, Arsenal are in Pot 2 for the Champions League group stages.

Mikel Arteta's side could very well have been placed in Pot 3, but the absence of sides with a higher coefficient has seen them promoted.

This means that when the draw is made in the summer, Arsenal will be the second team named for their respective group.

However, clubs in the pots either side of them could scupper their chances of making it to the knockout stages with a potential 'Group of Death' on the cards.

Europa League winners Sevilla, LaLiga champions Barcelona and Serie A victors Napoli are three sides from Pot 1 who could be in their group.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain are also there, as well as Portugal and the Netherlands' respective league winners Benfica and Feyenoord.

Champions Manchester City cannot be drawn with Arsenal as they are from the same country, but Bayern Munich could come back to haunt them after their 10-2 aggregate thrashing in the 2017 Round of 16.

Luckily for Arteta and his stars, the record 14-time winners Real Madrid cannot be drawn with them as they are both in Pot 2.

Despite this, last season's semi-finalist AC Milan can as they are in Pot 3, as well as Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Salzburg.

Lazio and Red Star Belgrade also feature alongside three more sides who will be revealed once the qualifying phase is completed.

Union Berlin and Lens make up two of the eight sides in Pot 4 so far thanks to their top four finishes in Germany and France.

Celtic, Real Sociedad and Newcastle will also feature in the group stages but are yet to find out if they are in Pot 3 or 4.

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Arsenal know the Champions League group stages are by no means easy as those who qualify are the best of the best.

However, with Bayern, Barcelona and AC Milan all potential opponents, Arteta and co. could face an uphill battle to progress.

Arsenal's potential Champions League 'Group of Death' so far:

• Bayern Munich
• Arsenal
• AC Milan
• Lens